Health and Active Living Page 2

Snow biking and skiing on the Rio Grande Trail near Basalt, Colorado | Photo courtesy Pitkin County Open Space and Trails

When the snow hits, many trail enthusiasts stow their running shoes or tuck their bikes into the back of the garage, missing an opportunity to enjoy rail-trails in a completely different way. Here are 10 winter wonderland trail views to get you motivated!

Special thanks to Barb Chamberlain, chief strategic officer of Cascade Bicycle Club and Washington Bikes, for permitting us to re-post this blog—originally published on the Washington Bikes blog on Oct. 25, 2014. Just in time for Halloween, your list of 13 reasons bicycles make the perfect vehicle for the zombie apocalypse!

On the night of Sunday, Oct. 9, the third debate of the 2016 general election concluded. Since the first debate, the presidential and vice-presidential candidates have touched on important topics critical to trails, including the economy, the environment and national health. However, transportation infrastructure—which includes trails, biking and walking—was never mentioned.

In its report released today, Physical Activity Among Adults Aged 50 Years and Older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared some troubling news: more than one in four older Americans are physically inactivity and only 20 percent meet physical activity guidelines. But here’s the good news: Physical activity can help manage the most prevalent chronic conditions, and trails provide the perfect low-stress environments in which to be active.

The “First State” in the Union just achieved another first—and this one has important implications for the active-transportation movement. Earlier this month, Delaware passed an innovative policy tool that will enable communities to become more bikeable and walkable.

Feb. 1 marks RTC’s 30th anniversary—and in honor of the occasion, we compiled these 30 great reasons to use and love trails.
RTC will be celebrating our anniversary all year long! Check our special 30th anniversary page often for great new stories and content.

Growing up on the Canadian prairies, Roxanne LeBlanc spent plenty of time on her bike. She continued to cycle as an adult and was the picture of great health. Until one day LeBlanc was out shopping, and everything changed.

Neighborhood trails don’t come much nicer than the Snake Creek Trail in southeast Florida. While not a rail-trail, the paved 6.5-mile route offers a similar easy and level riding experience along a pleasant, palm-tree-dotted canal connecting North Miami Beach and Miami Gardens (home of the Miami Dolphins).

New York City DOT Safety City (traffic and pedestrian safety) class | Photo courtesy NYCDOT | CC by 2.0

Walking is a powerful tool to change the world as well as a fundamental human right. To be restrained from free movement is a denial of our liberties and a betrayal of American ideals.
Yet many disadvantaged people now think twice before traveling on foot due to dangerous traffic, street crime or a lack of stores and public places within walking distance, which heightens serious problems of poor health, limited transportation options and overall disillusionment in their communities.

Few cities have better embraced walkability more than Philadelphia. According to WalkScore’s 2015 rankings, Philadelphia is the fourth most walkable city in the United States! The city has even invested in a comprehensive signage system that is custom-made for pedestrians as part of the Streetscape Improvement Program, the Walk!Philadelphia campaign.